Chela received the distinction of Dr. Honoris Causa (honorary doctoral degree) from the Universidad de Asunción in Paraguay in September, 2013. She was also invited to participate in the 2-part evaluation of Grants for the Innovative Medicines Initiative in the area of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases. Support for this effort is from the European Union. These activities took place in Brussels in April and August 2013, and Chela was the only non-European member of the panel.